Cooksey injured in scary spill

The filly Classikas, part of a three-horse spill in the first turn of Keeneland's 1 1/16-mile first race on Saturday, hurdles over injured rider Patti Cooksey after outriders were unable to corral her before she completed the circuit.

Cooksey suffered a fractured left femur and most likely has fractures to her right tibia and fibula, according to Keeneland's track physician, Dr. Barry Schumer. Cooksey was transferred to the University of Kentucky hospital, where she was scheduled to undergo surgery, according to Schumer, who opined that Cooksey's riding career is likely over.

Cooksey's mount, Ide Rather Not, appeared to be attempting to lug out as the field of $10,000 claimers went around the first turn of the 1 1/16-mile race. It appeared that her horse's right front leg became entangled with the rear legs of Tricky Princess, who was ridden by Lonnie Meche.

"She hollered at me. I guess her horse was getting out on her," Meche said. "I tried to make room for her, but right where we go into that turn is where it happened."

Ide Rather Not fell straight to the ground. Classikas, with jockey Inosencio Diego, and Savannah Crest, with Fabio Arguello Jr., both crashed into Ide Rather Not, dislodging their riders.

Arguello was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital with a lacerated forehead that Schumer said would need stitches.

Diego walked off the track under his own power.

Classikas ran one lap around the track, eluded outriders, and headed straight for the prone Cooksey while she was being attended to by medical personnel. With everyone in the crowd holding their collective breath, Classikas leaped over Cooksey.

All three horses eventually were corralled by outriders. None were seriously injured, though Ide Rather Not, who is trained by Robert Sturgeon, had lacerations to his right knee.

Cooksey, 45, returned to riding last June after being treated for cancer, which necessitated a mastectomy in Sept. 2001. She is the second-winningest female jockey of all-time.